Scranton Fringe- Alex Placke

When I moved to Scranton, I knew no one and had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was the middle of a global pandemic, and I wondered how I was going to meet people in a world that was shut down. The first event I attended was the Fringe Under the Glass, where I witnessed shows that varied from funny, to sad, to serious, to outright strange. What I found though was not only a space that allowed art to thrive, but a community and family that encouraged me to thrive.

Volunteering with the Fringe the past five years has been easily one of my favorite parts of living in Scranton. This past year I had the opportunity to share my story at one of our Story Slam events, and it really made me reflect on all of the good work the Festival does year-round promoting creative growth for everyone in the community. The educational programs and wide variety of performance experiences have no only given people a platform that would otherwise be elusive, but also provided a safe and fun environment for the whole of NEPA. 

I love that I have found a place in this world that celebrates creativity, supports taking chances, and continually brings people together through it all. It gives so much to our community, and I am proud to be apart of that contribution. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible all year long!